Free-space focused-beam characterization of left-handed materials

Abstract

We used a broadband, free-space, focused-beam system to measure the transmission and reflection in left-handed-material (LHM) slabs. The samples were made of alternating patterns of copper wires and split-ring resonators on Rogers 5880 substrates separated by Rohacell™ spacers. The measured data show very good agreement with numerical simulations. The measured insertion loss of this structure was −1.1 dB/cm at the LHM pass band. Simulations suggest that the loss may be attributable to the finite conductivity of the copper patterns.